Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Philippines' President Ferdinand Marocs Jr. on Monday, June 3, in Malacanang.
The meeting happened after the two leaders attended the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that President Zelenskyy thanked President Marcos for showing support to Ukraine, which continues to fend off attacks by Russia.
"Thank you so much, Mr. President. We’re happy to be first time in the Philippines. I’m sure not the last,” President Zelenskyy said during the meeting.
"Thank you for this invitation, and we’re very thankful to be in here in your country, and, which supports Ukraine, our territorial integrity and sovereignty. Thank you so much for your “big word” and clear position about us, about for this Russia occupation of our territories, and thank you on your support," President Zelenskyy added.
President Zelenskyy also welcomed the opening of a Ukranian embassy in Manila before the end of 2024.
"That’s certainly very good news because we would very much like to continue to help, in any way, that the Philippines can through the multilateral and United Nations (UN) and even through other agencies such as the (European Union), such as the UN,” President Marcos told Zelenskyy.
“So, we will continue to do all that we can to promote peace and to bring an end to the fighting and to come to a political resolution of your country. I think everybody fully understands that it is easier said than done and it will be a difficult road to find our way back to the situation that is morally acceptable not only to Ukraine, but to the rest of the world," President Marcos assured.
The conflict between the two European countries started after Russia launched a 'special military operation' to 'demilitarize' Ukraine in 2022.
United States, the United Nations and other Western states imposed sanctions on Russia for the conflict.
